US4343155A - Reservoir filling apparatus - Google Patents

Reservoir filling apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US4343155A
US4343155A US06/245,247 US24524780A US4343155A US 4343155 A US4343155 A US 4343155A US 24524780 A US24524780 A US 24524780A US 4343155 A US4343155 A US 4343155A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
fluid
pathway
hydraulic circuit
throat opening
reservoir
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US06/245,247
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English (en)
Inventor
Robert A. Stinson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Caterpillar Inc
Original Assignee
Caterpillar Tractor Co
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Caterpillar Tractor Co filed Critical Caterpillar Tractor Co
Assigned to CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., A CORP.OF CA. reassignment CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., A CORP.OF CA. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: STINSON ROBERT A.
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4343155A publication Critical patent/US4343155A/en
Assigned to CATERPILLAR INC., A CORP. OF DE. reassignment CATERPILLAR INC., A CORP. OF DE. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., A CORP. OF CALIF.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T13/00—Transmitting braking action from initiating means to ultimate brake actuator with power assistance or drive; Brake systems incorporating such transmitting means, e.g. air-pressure brake systems
    • B60T13/10—Transmitting braking action from initiating means to ultimate brake actuator with power assistance or drive; Brake systems incorporating such transmitting means, e.g. air-pressure brake systems with fluid assistance, drive, or release
    • B60T13/12—Transmitting braking action from initiating means to ultimate brake actuator with power assistance or drive; Brake systems incorporating such transmitting means, e.g. air-pressure brake systems with fluid assistance, drive, or release the fluid being liquid
    • B60T13/16—Transmitting braking action from initiating means to ultimate brake actuator with power assistance or drive; Brake systems incorporating such transmitting means, e.g. air-pressure brake systems with fluid assistance, drive, or release the fluid being liquid using pumps directly, i.e. without interposition of accumulators or reservoirs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T11/00—Transmitting braking action from initiating means to ultimate brake actuator without power assistance or drive or where such assistance or drive is irrelevant
    • B60T11/10—Transmitting braking action from initiating means to ultimate brake actuator without power assistance or drive or where such assistance or drive is irrelevant transmitting by fluid means, e.g. hydraulic
    • B60T11/26—Reservoirs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T17/00—Component parts, details, or accessories of power brake systems not covered by groups B60T8/00, B60T13/00 or B60T15/00, or presenting other characteristic features
    • B60T17/18—Safety devices; Monitoring

Definitions

  • the invention relates to hydraulic circuits for maintaining a fluid level in an element of the circuit. More particularly, the invention relates to initiating a pressure differential through fluid pathways and across the element to maintain the fluid level.
  • leakage of the hydraulic fluid can be a problem, particularly when desired fluid levels must be maintained to insure proper and effective operation of work elements which depend upon a fluid supply contained in some type of accumulator, master cylinder or the like.
  • brake systems commonly have a master cylinder which has a reservoir containing a fluid supply for the closed circuit brake system.
  • Optimum operation of the associated brakes requires that the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir be maintained at a sufficient level to supply fluid throughout the hydraulic lines and other components as operation of the system expands or contracts the fluid volume of the system.
  • Leakage in the master cylinder or at other locations in the brake system is difficult to eliminate completely owing to the numerous components and connections between the components in the hydraulic circuits associated with such brake systems. Also, work vehicles which contain such brake systems sometimes are operated under harsh conditions which create vibration or can damage the brake system components and tend to promote leakage.
  • a syphon or ejector device for supplementing fluid to cool brakes is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,101,815 which issued to J. W. Thompson et al on Aug. 27, 1963. Similar devices, utilized for other purposes, are also shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,358,442 which issued to J. R. Cryder on Dec. 19, 1967, U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,295 which issued to Haak et al on Jan. 30, 1973, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,224 which issued to Johnson on Apr. 15, 1975.
  • any supplemental fluid supply system preferably will be flexible enough to operate effectively under the potentially wide differences in leakage from brake system to brake system or in one brake system itself.
  • the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
  • a hydraulic circuit has a pressurized fluid source and a first fluid pathway in fluid communication with the fluid source and positionable in fluid communication with a second fluid pathway and a first work element.
  • First means initiates a first pressure condition in a third fluid pathway.
  • Second means initiates a second pressure condition in a fourth fluid pathway.
  • a second work element is positioned in fluid communication with the third and fourth fluid pathways. A preselected fluid level in the second work element is maintained in response to a fluid flow initiated by the pressure conditions in the third and fourth fluid pathways.
  • the preselected fluid level represents, for example, the proper fluid level in a master cylinder reservoir of a brake system.
  • a fluid flow is induced at a desired magnitude across its reservoir.
  • the fluid is supplied from the first fluid pathway, which is used to pass fluid from the fluid source to the first work element, such as a hydraulic cylinder of an associated vehicle.
  • the flow thus created is used to maintain the fluid level against leakage in the brake system to substantially overcome problems related thereto.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the present invention showing a hydraulic circuit having venturis positioned between a fluid pathway and a work element to induce fluid flow to the work element;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the present invention showing a portion of a hydraulic circuit having the venturis of FIG. 1 in a different relationship.
  • a hydraulic circuit 10 which has a pressurized fluid source or pump 12 and first and second work elements 14,16.
  • the first work element 14 is shown as a hydraulic cylinder operably connected to a control valve 15.
  • the second work element is, for example, a master cylinder having a reservoir 17 and being associated with a brake system (not shown) of an associated vehicle to provide a fluid source for operation of the pressure actuated brakes.
  • Fluid is passed in the hydraulic circuit through fluid pathways, which most commonly will be hydraulic lines interconnecting the various elements of the hydraulic circuit.
  • a first fluid pathway or supply line 18 is positioned in fluid communication with the pump, the control valve and a second fluid pathway or return line 20.
  • the brake master cylinder reservoir is positioned in fluid communication with the return line, and thus the pump, through a third fluid pathway or fill line 22.
  • the master cylinder is also positioned in fluid communication with a fourth fluid pathway or drain line 24. Additional fluid pathways 26,28,30 are utilized to position a tank 32 of the circuit in fluid communication with the pump, the return line and the control valve. Additionally, a filter 34 has been added in the supply line to filter fluid passing from the pump into the circuit.
  • Such hydraulic circuit elements are well known in the art and are commonly arranged to provide various work functions on a work vehicle.
  • the reservoir 17 of the master cylinder 16 has a preselected fluid level denoted by reference numeral 36 which is maintained by the hydraulic circuit 10 in response to fluid flow initiated, preferably from the return line 20, through the fill and drain lines 22,24 by certain pressure conditions initiated in said fill and drain lines.
  • the pressure condition in the fill line is initiated by first means 38, such as a first venturi 40, in response to a fluid flow in the return line and through the venturi.
  • the pressure condition in the drain line is initiated by second means 42, such as a second venturi 44, in response to the above-mentioned fluid flow in the return line and through the second venturi.
  • Each of the venturis 40,44 has a respective throat opening 46,48 positioned in fluid communication with the return line 20 and the tank 32 and through or across which a portion of the fluid which passes through said return line is directed.
  • the throat openings are positioned in parallel fluid communication with the return line through parallel hydraulic lines 50,52 connected to the line representing the return line.
  • the throat openings can also be positioned, in effect, in a series arrangement in which the throat opening of one of the first and second venturis is positioned in fluid communication with the return line through the throat opening of the other of the first and second venturis.
  • FIG. 2 where fluid from the return line passes through a line 54 interconnected with the return line and the first venturi to the throat opening of the second venturi.
  • the fill line 22 is positioned in fluid communication with the throat opening of the first venturi 40 at a preselected location on said throat opening.
  • the drain line 24 is positioned in fluid communication with the throat opening 48 of the second venturi 44 at a preselected location on said throat opening to induce a pressure condition at which fluid will flow from the reservoir 17 to the tank 32 to complete the fluid path through the master cylinder.
  • Valve means 56 shown as a pilot operated relief valve 58, is provided for directing fluid from the supply line 18 through the return line 20 in response to a preselected fluid pressure level in the supply line.
  • the pilot operated valve is spring biased to normally interrupt fluid flow from the supply line through the return line to the venturis 40,44.
  • a spring biased check valve 62 can be positioned in the return line and downstream of the pilot operated valve and the branch lines 50,52 or 54 interconnecting the venturis 40,44.
  • hydraulic circuit and particularly the individual components thereof, can be of other configurations as is known in the art without departing from the invention.
  • the pump 12 provides a fluid flow through the supply line 18 in order to control actuation of, for example, the hydraulic cylinder 14 by the associated control valve 15.
  • fluid pressure in the supply line 18 is of a sufficient magnitude to cause the pilot operated valve 58 to move to the open position, fluid passes from the supply line and into the return line 20.
  • Such fluid flow can be used to refill or replenish the fluid in the reservoir 17 of the master cylinder 16, which is part of the separately operable brake system. Refilling of the reservoir to maintain its preselected fluid level is desirable owing to leakage in the brake system which can reduce the fluid level in the brake system to an undesirable level for effective brake operation.
  • a portion of the fluid entering the return line 20 is provided to the venturis 40,44 through the branch lines 50,52 (FIG. 1) or 54 (FIG. 2) owing to resistance of the return line which creates a back pressure in said line.
  • the spring biased check valve 62 where present, provides additional back pressure when line restrictions are not of sufficient magnitude in order to assure proper flow to the venturis.
  • the fluid in the return line 20 provided to the venturis 40,44 passes through their respective throat openings 46,48 and onto the tank 32.
  • the first pressure condition is created in the fill line 22 owing to the relative location at which the fill line opens onto the throat opening.
  • This pressure condition induces a fluid flow from the throat opening into the fill line.
  • the venturi effect creates a positive pressure condition in the fill line which results in a fluid flow into the reservoir 17 of the master cylinder 16.
  • the drain line 24 is positioned to open onto the throat opening 48 so as to create the second pressure condition in said drain line at a magnitude less than the first pressure condition.
  • the resultant fluid pressure differential initiated across the reservoir tends to establish a siphoning effect from said reservoir into the drain line to remove any excess fluid through the drain line which is provided to the master cylinder from the fill line.
  • the fluid pressure differential thus provides a continuous flow of fluid in the master cylinder reservoir, when the pilot control valve 58 is in the open position, to refill the master cylinder reservoir to its normal fluid level while also removing any excess fluid supplied to said reservoir.
  • the pressure differential will depend upon the locations at which the third and fourth fluid pathways open into their related throat openings and also upon the magnitude of fluid flow in the second fluid pathway. Only a positive pressure differential of the fill line relative to the drain line need be maintained, however, to establish the desired flow and siphon characteristics in the reservoir. In other words, for example, a positive pressure condition can be maintained in both the fill and drain lines 22,24 or a positive pressure condition can be maintained in the fill line with a negative or vacuum pressure condition in the drain line. Also, such reduced flow is desirably maintained at pressures close to atmospheric pressure in the system as disclosed to prevent pressurizing the brake system.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Valves And Accessory Devices For Braking Systems (AREA)
  • Transmission Of Braking Force In Braking Systems (AREA)
  • Supply Devices, Intensifiers, Converters, And Telemotors (AREA)
US06/245,247 1980-05-23 1980-05-23 Reservoir filling apparatus Expired - Lifetime US4343155A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1980/000635 WO1981003309A1 (en) 1980-05-23 1980-05-23 Reservoir filling apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4343155A true US4343155A (en) 1982-08-10

Family

ID=22154364

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/245,247 Expired - Lifetime US4343155A (en) 1980-05-23 1980-05-23 Reservoir filling apparatus

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US4343155A (cs)
JP (1) JPS57500641A (cs)
AU (1) AU6928081A (cs)
BE (1) BE888569A (cs)
DE (1) DE3050388A1 (cs)
WO (1) WO1981003309A1 (cs)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040022362A1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2004-02-05 Mccarthy Joseph H. Method and system for cooling heat-generating component in a closed-loop system
US20060140346A1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2006-06-29 Mccarthy Joseph H Jr Method and system for cooling heat-generating component in a closed-loop system
US20060280292A1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2006-12-14 Tark, Inc. Method and system for cooling heat-generating component in a closed-loop system

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2820343A (en) * 1955-07-20 1958-01-21 Anciens Ets Charles Berthiez Locking system
US3137369A (en) * 1961-09-29 1964-06-16 Stromberg Hydraulic Brake & Co Hydraulic brake for automotive vehicles
US3713295A (en) * 1971-04-26 1973-01-30 Caterpillar Tractor Co Pressure and/or flow compensating means
US3877224A (en) * 1973-12-21 1975-04-15 Caterpillar Tractor Co Single pump hydrostatic transmission control and supply system
US4070858A (en) * 1976-10-06 1978-01-31 Clark Equipment Company Brake and steering system
US4174018A (en) * 1977-04-16 1979-11-13 Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen Ag Arrangement for control of two hydraulic pressure systems, including booster steering control
US4215720A (en) * 1978-10-02 1980-08-05 General Signal Corporation Fluid control valve system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2820343A (en) * 1955-07-20 1958-01-21 Anciens Ets Charles Berthiez Locking system
US3137369A (en) * 1961-09-29 1964-06-16 Stromberg Hydraulic Brake & Co Hydraulic brake for automotive vehicles
US3713295A (en) * 1971-04-26 1973-01-30 Caterpillar Tractor Co Pressure and/or flow compensating means
US3877224A (en) * 1973-12-21 1975-04-15 Caterpillar Tractor Co Single pump hydrostatic transmission control and supply system
US4070858A (en) * 1976-10-06 1978-01-31 Clark Equipment Company Brake and steering system
US4174018A (en) * 1977-04-16 1979-11-13 Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen Ag Arrangement for control of two hydraulic pressure systems, including booster steering control
US4215720A (en) * 1978-10-02 1980-08-05 General Signal Corporation Fluid control valve system

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040022362A1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2004-02-05 Mccarthy Joseph H. Method and system for cooling heat-generating component in a closed-loop system
US20060140346A1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2006-06-29 Mccarthy Joseph H Jr Method and system for cooling heat-generating component in a closed-loop system
US7093977B2 (en) * 2000-12-21 2006-08-22 Tark, Inc. Method and system for cooling heat-generating component in a closed-loop system
US20060280292A1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2006-12-14 Tark, Inc. Method and system for cooling heat-generating component in a closed-loop system
US7461975B2 (en) 2000-12-21 2008-12-09 Tark, Inc. Method and system for cooling heat-generating component in a closed-loop system
US7484888B2 (en) 2000-12-21 2009-02-03 Tark, Inc. Method and system for cooling heat-generating component in a closed-loop system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS57500641A (cs) 1982-04-15
BE888569A (nl) 1981-10-27
WO1981003309A1 (en) 1981-11-26
DE3050388A1 (de) 1982-06-03
AU6928081A (en) 1981-12-07

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STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

AS Assignment

Owner name: CATERPILLAR INC., 100 N.E. ADAMS STREET, PEORIA, I

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., A CORP. OF CALIF.;REEL/FRAME:004669/0905

Effective date: 19860515

Owner name: CATERPILLAR INC., A CORP. OF DE.,ILLINOIS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., A CORP. OF CALIF.;REEL/FRAME:004669/0905

Effective date: 19860515